Fire & Ice
Iceland and Greenland
Combine a travel to Iceland and Greenland and get the feeling of Fire and Ice. Experience these two exotic arctic islands in the north, although very close in distance, their unique landscapes and cultures differ greatly. The easy access to Greenland directly from Iceland makes this combination and holiday perfect.
Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: Reykjavik Sightseeing - Reykjanes Peninsula - Blue Lagoon
Morning sightseeing tour around Reykjavik City, to the old town centre, the harbor and the Pearl. Next travel to the Reykjanes Peninsula, a geothermal field with hot springs, steaming vents and mud pots and visit the famous Blue Lagoon, set in the middle of the black lava field. Enjoy welcome dinner at your hotel in Reykjavik.
Day 3: Geysers - Gullfoss Waterfall - Thingvellir UNESCO heritage site
Drive to Thingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the original Icelandic parliament and a geologically fascinating area. Walk down the rift valley caused by the separating North-America and Eurasian tectonic plates. Then head to the famous Geysir hot spring area and view one of the most active geysers in the area, Strokkur, spouting hot water up to 30 meters. Continue to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe. We visit a horse breeding farm with a geothermally heated greenhouse and learn about the Icelandic horse and its special qualities. Overnight in Fludir area for the next 2 nights.
Day 4: The valley of the Saga age farms - Mt. Hekla -Landmannalaugar
Travel to the valley of the Saga Age farms, Thjorsardalur, an area greatly affected by the 1104 eruption in Mt. Hekla, Iceland´s most famous volcano. We stop at the beautifully reconstructed farmhouse of Thjodsveldisbaerinn, the original farm being buried by ashes from the Mt. Hekla eruption. Travel on through this valley with its extensive birch woods, to the dramatic scenary and untouched wilderness of the highlands. Arrive in Landmannalaugar, an area with an amazing range of colors, where the landscape is made from the beautiful multi-shaded rhyolite. You have the option to bathe in a natural warm pool.
Day 5: Ilulissat, a UNESCO heritage site
Transfer to Reykjavik domestic airport in the morning and then fly to Greenland. Arrive around noon to the picturesque town of Ilulissat. It has a beautiful location at the mouth of a long ice fjord, filled with enormous icebergs from the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere. After check-in at the hotel, enjoy a walking tour in the centre of the town with your local guide. Learn about modern life close to the Arctic Circle and join in the feeding of a sled-dog team, where the owner will demonstrate dog-sledding and tell about the nature of sled-dogs in Greenland.
Day 6: Old Settlements
In the morning hike to the remains of the old settlement, Sermermiut, which is situated by the Icefjord. Listen to the story about the life and the customs of the Greenlanders before the Europeans´ arrival, whilst enjoying incredible views of the icebergs in the fjord.The after-noon is open for your own activites, such as visiting the museums in the town or participate in optional excursions (not included, but prebookable), such as a boat tour to view the icebergs or a helicopter flight to the icefjord.
Day 7: Boat tour to Eqi Glacier
Very few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi glacier, which squeezes out in a fjord north of Ilulissat. Sail to the very edge of the glacier’s frontline rising 80-90 meters above the surface of the sea. While enjoying lunch on board the boat, watch as big chunks of heavy ice break off the glacier and trembles intensely into the sea. The crashes are enormous and the sight of the icebergs falling into the water, not to mention the sound, is impressive.
Day 8: Optional Tours and Travel Day
The morning is yours to explore on own, enjoy the vistas of the beautiful icebergs in the fjord or use the time to do any final shopping for tupilaks or other handicraft souvenirs. Transfer to the airport in Ilulissat and flight to Reykjavik, followed by a transfer to your hotel.
DAY 9: DEPARTURE DAY
Shuttle transfer from your hotel to the airport. Individual flight back to the UK.
